At first, it was underwater fishing that fascinated him, and he longed to get closer to the fish and remain under the water for longer.
At the age of 16, his father gave him his first air bottle and a regulator that he still has today. That same year, he completed his first course and he made his first dive in the Medes Islands, an experience that he would never forget.
Fired with enthusiasm, he took advantage of his military service to learn a little more, serving as a diver at the Naval Diving Centre.
For many years he continued to fish and dive, but it was not until the year 1995 that he discovered underwater photography, and he began to photograph underwater fishing while freediving.
It
was on a trip to the Red Sea, organised by Josep Maria Llenas, that he met
the three people who would become his closest friends, Enric Sala (Quiquinyo),
Alexandros Frantzis and Josep Maria Llenas himself, expert biologists and
photographers who inspired him to finally give up fishing and to devote all
his attention to Underwater photography.
At present, his closest ally is his partner, Gemma Aymerich, the diver and underwater model. Together, they have travelled and taken part in competitions, united by their common passion: a love of the sea and the pleasure of diving all around the world. Not being very fond of the rules of photography competitions, Josep chose to give up competing, in order to strive in his own way to express the beauty of the sea in images. His sole objective is to convey the grandeur of the sea and to show those who have not had his good fortune the stunning natural beauty of the underwater world.
At all events, the following are his most important achievements from his period as a competitor:
Individual
Spanish champion in underwater fishing photography while freediving, 1995
and 1996.
Individual Spanish runner-up in underwater fishing photography while freediving,
1997.
Individual Catalan champion in underwater fishing photography while freediving,
1996.
Individual Catalan runner-up in underwater fishing photography while freediving,
1995.
Winner of I international golden dolphin award for underwater fishing photography
while freediving, Cadaqués, 1996.
3rd place in the Catalan underwater photography championship, 1996 and 1997.
3rd place in the first Skafos de plata prize.
Winner of the International Accésit Fotoprix prize, 1998.
Best model, Island of El Hierro International Open, 1998.
6th place in the 1st International Master of Underwater Photography, 1999.
3rd place in the Rendez Vous de l'Emotion 2000, Corsica (France), 2000.
2nd place in the 2nd International Master of Underwater Photography, 2001.
1st place in the Rendez Vous de l'Emotion 2001, Corsica (France), 2001.
2nd place in the 3rd International Master of Underwater Photography, 2002
1st place in the Rendez Vous de l'Emotion 2002, Corsica (France), 2002.
6th place in the 5è Challenge de photos sous-marines de Marseille 2002
1st. Place Underwater Photography International Open M.I.M.A. 2003.
Winner Illes Medes III Aquanet 2003.
